Indiana Public Media News

Pence Releases New Facebook Policy After Criticism

Posted July 18, 2013

The change comes after Pence's office deleted comments that were critical of the governor's position on same-sex marriage.

Photo: republicanconference (Flickr)

Governor Pence posted his new social media policy on his official Facebook page.

Governor Mike Pence’s Facebook page now comes with an official social media policy, weeks after the governor apologized when comments critical of Pence were deleted from his page.

In the ‘About’ section of Governor Mike Pence’s official Facebook page, users can now find a link to a state government page that contains Pence’s new social media policy.

The policy states that the governor’s office is not responsible for content posted by other users on its social media page, though it says it does not allow profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, nudity, defamation of character, advertising, or political campaigning.

The creation of the policy was spurred by controversy over deleted comments critical of the governor’s position on same sex marriage.

Initially, the governor’s office said the comments were removed because they contained personal or disrespectful attacks. But later, the governor admitted some were deleted simply because they expressed disagreement.

Pence told reporters last week he regrets the incident.

“I want Hoosiers all to know that, whether we agree or disagree, that I respect the freedom of expression and respect the opinions of every person in this state,” Pence said.

Pence’s policy also says comments on the governor’s social media pages are not constantly monitored and that it trusts in the maturity of the community to ignore personal attacks and respond politely.

Brandon Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO, and at WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.

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